Box-filling machine.



PATENTED NOV. 27, 1906.

J. P. & c. PJWRIGHT. BOX" FILLING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30,1903.

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PATBNTED NOV. 27, 1906.

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APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1903 0 SHEETSSHBET 2.

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PATENTED NOV. 27, 1 906.

J. P. & G. FIWRIGHT.

BOXPILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1903.

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J. P. & G. P. WRIGHT.

BOX FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1903.

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INVENTOES: 01.103 9w ui THE NORRIS PETERS co., WASHINGTON, n. c.

PATENTED NOV. 27, 1906.

No. 836,729; PATENTED NOV. 27, 1906. J. P. & C. F. WRIGHT.

BOX FILLING MACHINE. APPLICATION IILEDJUIIE 30,1963.

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No. 836,729. PATENTED NOV. 27, 1906.

J. P. & 0. P. WRIGHT.

BOX FILLING MACHINE. APPL'IOATI ON FILED JUNE 30, 1903.

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W/TNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB P. WRIGHT, OF AKRON, AND CHARLES F. WRIGHT, OF BARBERTON, OHIO,ASSICNORS TO THE DIAMOND MATCH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y. A CORPORATIONOF ILLINOIS.

BOX-FILLING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 27, 1906.

Application filed June 30, 1903. Serial No. 163,669.

To all whom it 1111/14 concern.-

Be it known that we, JAooB P. WRIGHT, a resident of Akron, and CHARLESF. WRIGHT, a resident of Barberton, in the county of Summit and State ofOhio, citizens of the United States, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in- Box-Filling Machines, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates generally to machines for filling boxes withmatches, toothpicks, or other similarly-formed articles, hav ingreference more especially to novel mechanism for automatically fillingcylindrical boxes with wax matches or vestas as the latter aredischarged from a match-making machine.

In the present embodiment of our invention we employ an endlesstraveling carrier mounted in close relation to the discharging portionof a match-machine and provided with suit ably-arranged. receptaclesinto which the matches are delivered in combination with means wherebyboxes are fed progressively to or' adjacent said receptacles and meanswhereby the contents of the receptacles are transferred therefrom to theboxes, together with various'novel structural features and combinationsof parts, all cooperating to produce a simple and efficient box-fillingapparatus, as will be hereinafter particularly described and claimed.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of a box-filling machineembodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional detail of the travelingmatch and box carriers and adjuncts as on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3is a plan of the shaker-trough detached. Fig. 4 is a front elevation ofthe machine, a portion of the endless box-carrier and other parts beingomitted. Fig. 5 is a sectional detail illustrating the connection withits operating-cam of the reciprocating matchguide and pusher-carriage.Fig. 6is a transverse vertical section as on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1, aportion of the match-carrier of the matchanachine and also a filledmatch-box in. the boxcarrier being shown. Fig. 7 is a partial transversevertical section as on the line 7 7 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a sectionaldetail through the adjustable sprocket-wheel and adjuncts at one end ofthe filler-machine bed. Fig. 9 is a view from the under side of aportion of one end of said bed and the mechanism thereon. Fig. 10 is arear elevation of a portion of the machine at the opposite end to thatshown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the guide-lever foracting upon the matches within the temporary holders. Fig. 12 is asimilar view of a portion of the chain of temporary holders. Fig. 13 isa like view of a portion of the box-carrier. Fig. 14 is a perspectiveview of a box such as our invention is designed to fill.

1 designates a portion of the main frame of a match-making machine; 2, aportion of the match-carrier; 3, the reciprocating punchhead forejecting the matches row by row from the carrier, and 4 the maindrivingshaft of the machine. These parts being of any usual or approvedconstruction need no detailed description herein.

Affixed to the end of the machine-frame in position to extendtransversely thereof on a plane below the line of discharge of thematches from the carrier is a horizontal bed '5, at the respective endsof which are mountdepth exceeding the diameter of a box. The

internal walls of the recesses are beveled from end to end, so as tocompensate for the head ends of the matches as the latter lie within therecesses, as shown. Thus constructed each receptacle is open at its topand ends. The adjoining receptacles of the train or series are in closeproximity to each other, and their upper edges are preferably beveled ortapered, as shown, to facilitate the entrance of the matches to theholders.

The vertical shaft 10 of the sprocket-wheel 7 has its bearing preferablyin an adjustable block 11 on the under side of the bed, the connectionof such block with the bed being conveniently effected by means ofscrews 12, passing through slots 13 in the block. (See Fig. 8.) Thelower ends of the shafts 10 10 of the two sprocket-wheels carrywormwheels 14, which gear with worms 15 on the respective ends of ahorizontal shaft 16, that is mounted in brackets 17, depending from thebed. The shaft 16 is driven in any suit able manner.

In the present instance it is illustrated as geared with the main shaftas follows: 18 is a stud-shaft mounted in a bearing on the main frameand provided with agear-wheel 19, which is geared through anintermediate gear 20 with a gear-wheel 21 on the main shaft. Thestud-shaft 18 carries a sprocketwheel 22, which is connected, by meansof a sprocket-chain 23, with a similar wheel 24 on a counter-shaft 25,having its bearings in brackets 26 on the main frame, and thiscounter-shaft in turn is-provided with a sprocket-wheel 27, which isconnected, by means of a chain 28, with a wheel 29 on the worm-shaft 16.Thus motion is transmitted from-the main shaft to the worm-shaft andthence positively to the shafts carrying the sprocket-wheels for thechain of temporary holders, thereby continuously impelling the latteracross the path of the stream of matches ejected from the match carrier.This chain during its traverse in front of the match-carrier is jarredoragitated in a manner to cause the matches to settle down within thetemporary holders. For this purpose a trough 30, constituting a runwayfor the chain, is provided, together with means for transverselyagitating the trough. The trough is preferably composed of severalsections, in the present instance three. The middle section a extendsentirely across the front of the match-carrier and is ointed at itsends, as at x, to the other sections 1), and the latter at their outerextremities are pivoted to the bed, as at y. (See Fig. 3.) On the underside of the middle section are suitably-disposed brackets 31, providedwith horizontal extensions 32, which are slidingly fitted to guides 33on the bed. Pivoted to these brackets are the upper ends of arms 34,rising from a rock-shaft 25, which has its bearings in brackets 36 onthe under side of the bed. One of the arms is an arm of an angle-leveron said shaft, the other arm 37 of the lever extending below asuitably-disposed cam 38 and being held operatively in contact therewithby means of a retractingspring 39, which is secured at its respectiveends to the lever arm 37 and to the bed. The cam 38 is provided withalternate peripheral elevations and depressions and is mounted on astud-shaft 39, having its bearing in a bracket on the bed. This shaft isequipped with a sprocket-wheel 40, which is connected, by means of achain 41, with a similar wheel 42 on the shaft 25, above referred to.(See Fig. 6.) Thus the cam is positively rotated and in consequence thetrough is rapidly vibrated transversely.

By making the trough in sections and pivotally connecting and mountingthem as described the greatest extent of vibration is imparted to themiddle section (where the matches are introduced to the holders) andthence gradually to the outer extremities of the trough. Thus agradually-increasing vibration of the chain of holders is had while theholders are passing to the carrier, and a gradually-decreasing vibrationis had while the holders supplied with matches are passing from thecarrier. This operation avoids an abrupt stoppage of the agitatingaction upon the matches when the motion of the machine is arrested, andhence the otherwise liability of disarranging the matches in the holdersis obviated.

To insure the disposition of the matches in the temporary holders as thematches are ejected row by row from the carrier and also to obviate allliability of the matches being accidentally thrown from said holdersduring the jarring operation, we hinge to the bed, adjacent the middlesection of the trough, an angular guard 43, which is arranged to beswung over and from said section. as desired. The forward edge of theguard, as will be observed, is inclined upward through its length, so asto lie slightly above the plane of dis charge of the matches from thecarrier when the guard is swung over the trough, and thus to permit thefree and unobstructed passage of the matches to the holders.

The temporary holders with their contents pass around the sprocket-wheel6 at one end of the bed, and the matches are then pushed endwise fromthe holders into suitable boxes.

In the present instance-cylindrical boxes B -of slightly less depth thanthe length of a match are employed, and they are fed progressively intoposition for the reception of the matches, as follows:

44 represents an endless carrier, termed a box-carrier, comprisinghingedly-connect ed links provided with semicircular recesses thereinwhich correspond in number and relation with the temporary holders andare arranged to travel adjacent to and at the same rate of speed as saidholders. The carrier 44 passes around a pair of sprocketwheels 45,arranged at the respective ends of the bed, one of which wheels ismounted to turn loosely on a stud-shaft 46, fixed to a bracket on theunder side of the bed, and the other of which wheels is fast on a drivenshaft 47, having its bearings in brackets on said bed. The driven shaftis provided at one end with a worm-wheel 48, which coacts with a worm 49on a lower shaft 50, the latter shaft being provided with a pinion 51,which is geared with a spur-wheel 52 on the wormshaft 16, hereinbeforedescribed. (See Fig. 10.) Thus a uniform continuous motion is positivelytransmitted to the box-carrier. The width of each of the links is equalto the length of a box to be filled, and the diameter of the recess inthe link is equal to that of the box, or substantially so. The bottom ofthe recess is preferably provided at its inner end with a shoulderedportion 0 to correspond with the reduced portion of the box which receives the cap or cover.

The empty boxes, bottom outward and mouth inward, are fed side by sideto the carrier 44 by means of an inclined chute 53, which is keptsupplied with boxes by an attendant. The lower end of the chute isclosed on all sides and is curved downward toward the carrier, so as todeliver the boxes one by one to the succeeding links of the travelingcarrier. Adjacent the chute is a horizontally-disposed angle-piece 54,which overhangs the runway and the box-carrier for a predetermineddistance and insures the horizontal disposition of the boxes in therecessed links, the top of the piece being preferably turned or inclinedupward at its chute end, as at 55, to exert a depressing cam ac tionupon the boxes as they pass from the chute to the carrier. (See Fig. 2.)

While the boxes are confined by the angle piece just mentioned thematches in the proximate temporary holders are introduced thereto. Themeans which we prefer to employ for this purpose is as follows:

56 represents a pair of members rising from a rock-shaft 57, which ismounted in a horizontally-movable carriage on the bed. These membersconstitute, in effect, the bifurcated arm of a lever, the other arm 58whereof depends below the bed. The upper ends of the members 56 extendoutwardly, as at 59, and then forwardly, as at 60, terminating inguide-pieces 61, which have concave recesses on their under sides, asshown. The guidepieces during the actuation of the lever are adapted toenter the temporary holders and set the contained matches in positionfor ready insertion in the opposing boxes by the action of adjacent pushdevices, which are also mounted on the carriage, as hereinafterdescribed.

The leverarm 58 is pivoted to one end of an arm 62, the opposite end ofwhich is bifurcated to embrace a longitudinally-disposed shaft 63,mounted in brackets on the bed. On this shaft is a cam 64, against whichis yieldingly held a roller on the arm 62 by means of a spring 63secured at its respective ends to the said arm and bed, whereby duringthe operation of the shaft 63 the lever is oscillated and theguide-pieces thereon are moved in a vertical arc into and from thetemporary holders. (See Fig. 7.)

The action of the spring 63 is to effect the depression of theguide-pieces yieldingly upon the matches, and the function of the cam isto control the descent of such pieces and to effect their elevation.Hence should any of the matches in a holder or holders be disarranged orawry the guide-pieces will yield to the abnormal condition, and thusobviate the otherwise liability of crushing the matches.

The shaft 63 is driven from the countershaft 25 by means of asprocket-chain 65, passing around wheels 66 67 on the respective shafts.

The carriage 68, on which the guidelever and push devices are mounted,is moved longitudinally back and forth in respect to the horizontaltravel of the chain of temporary holders in order that the continuousmovement of the latter will be uninterrupted dur ing the operation ofguiding and inserting the matches in' the boxes. This carriage in thepresent instance comprises a plate fitted to .and guided in a suitableopening in the bed and provided on its under side with a pair ofdepending bracket-arms 69, which are slid ingly mounted on the shaft 63.

Extending from one end of the plate is a bar 70, which is preferablyguided in a block 71 on the bed and which bar is furnished with a stud72, Fig. 5, that depends through a slot in the bed into aperipherally-grooved cam 73, fast on the shaft 63. The contour of thiscam is designed to effect the reciprocations of the carriage insynchronism with the continuous travel of the chain of temporary holdersand the movements of the guide and push devices.

' The devices for pushing the matches into the boxes comprise a pair ofplungers 74, fitted in guides 75 on the carriage, so as to be movableacross the path of travel of the temporary holders. These plungers arearranged to reciprocate below the respective guide members and areprovided at their forward or free ends with pressure-heads 76, that areshaped to fit snugly within the holders. The rear ends of the plungersare connected, by means of links 77, with a pair of arms 78, rising froma rock-shaft 79, mounted on the carriage. Depending from this shaft isan arm 80, which carries a roller 81, that is held. yieldingly engagedwith a cam 82 on the shaft 63 by means of a retracting-spring 83,secured at its respective ends to the arm and bed, whereby the said armis oscillated. at predetermined intervals and the plungers accordinglyreciprocated. tendency of the spring is to move the plungers yieldinglyagainst the opposing ends of the matches, while the operation of the camis to guide the plungers in their inward movement and to insure theirpositive return. Hence should any matches be longer than others orshould they, or any of them, be displaced, so as to abut against theedge of the box, the plungers will yield to the opposing match ormatches, and thus obviate the otherwise liability of breaking or jammingsuch match or matches.

The cams 64 82 are mounted to slide longitudinally of the shaft 63during the horizontal (See Fig. 7.) The ICC movement of the carriage.Accordingly said cams are secured to a sleeve 84, which has a slidingconnection with the shaft and is arranged between the dependingbracket-arms.

In the present instance the cams 64 82 are secured to the periphery ofthe sleeve by a key 64, and the sliding connection between the sleeveand the shaft comprises a spline or feather 64 aflixed to the innersurface of the sleeve and slidingly fitted to a longitudinal groove orway in the shaft. (See Fig. 7.)

The relative timing of the respective cams is such that at the outsetthe guide-pieces descend to embrace the matches in the underlyingtemporary holders, and immediately thereafter the plungers commence toadvance against the opposing ends of the matches. As soon as the matchesslightly enter the boxes the guide-pieces ascend, and the plungerscontinuing their stroke push the matches into the boxes. The plungersare then retracted, and the parts assume their previous position for asucceeding operation. The guide devices, with their cooperating pushers,are mounted. to act Within alternate temporary holders as the latter arecontinuously advanced.

The runway for the box-carrier on the front of the bed is constructed toguide the carrier in parallelism with the chain of temporary holderswhile the carrier is traveling within the guide 54, so that the boxeswill rest horizontally in the carrier during the introduction of thematches thereto. Beyond. the guide for a predetermined distance say tothe point z, Fig. 2the runwayinclines gradually downward and thenextends in a horizontal plane to the opposite end of thebed. Asillustated, the box-carrier during its travel assumes the inclinationand path. of therunway.

Inasmuch as the matches are slightlylonger than the boxes and as theprojecting ends of the matches therefore rest in the temporary holders,it follows that as the boxes are carried down the inclination the inneror open ends of the boxes are gradually tilted upward and that in suchinclined. position the filled boxes are carried onward to the oppositeside of the machine. In order still further to tilt the boxes duringtheir trave se, I interpose between the two carriers a thin metal plate85, the upper edge of which is gradually inclined above the bottoms ofthe temporary holders, as at 86, Fig. 4, so as to afford a cam-surfacefor the projecting ends of the matches in the boxes as the latterprogress. Such tilting of the boxes not only causes the matches tosettle within the boxes, but permits the filled boxes to be readilyremoved from the carrier preparatory to applying the caps or covers tothe boxes. We prefer to transfer the boxes automatically from thecarrier to a table 86 (or other suitable support) adjacent thereto, andas a simple and efficient means to this end we dispose in the path ofthe inclined boxes a camlike strip 87, which curves outwardly from thebed and overhangs the box-carrier, as shown in Fig. 1. It will be seenthat as the tilted. boxes approach the piece 87 and contact therewithsuch piece acts as a cam to move the boxes successively to an uprightposition and direct them out from the carrier upon the table ready forremoval by an attendant.

We claim 1. In a box-filling machine, the combination of an endlesschain of flexibly-connected temporary match-holders adapted throughoutits course to travel in a horizontal path, or substantially so, meansfor progressively supplying matches to the holders of one of thelongitudinal stretches of said chain, an endless chain offlexibly-connected boxholders arranged to travel laterally adjacent to,and in parallelism with, the other longitudinal stretch of said chain ofmatch-holders, or substantially so, means for concurrently actuatingsaid chains whereby the adjacent portions thereof are impelled in thesame direction and at the same rate of speed and their respectiveholders thus maintained in register, and means for transferring thematches from the said match-holders into boxes carried by the saidbox-holders.

2. In a box-filling machine, the combination with a temporary holderhaving an open top and an open end and having also its in ternal wallsinclined from end to end to compensate for the enlarged head ends ofmatches contained in said holders, of means for supporting abox adjacentto the open end of said holder, and means for pushing ihe contents ofsaid holder endwise into the 8. In a box-filling machine, thecombination of an endless chain of flexibly-connected temporarymatch-holders adapted throughout its course to travel in a horizontalpath, or substantially so, means for progressively supplying matches tothe holders on one of the longitudinal stretches of said chain, anendless chain of flexibly-connected boxholders arranged to travellaterally adjacent to, and in parallelism with, the other longitudinalstretch of said chain of match-holders, or substantially so, and tosupport boxes with their mouthsdirected toward the said match-holders,means for concurrently actuating said chains whereby the adjacentportions thereof are impelled in the same direction and at the samerateof speed and their respective holders thus maintained in register, andmeans for acting directly upon the ends of the matches in saidmatch-holders during their travel and thereby moving such matchesendwise into the adjacent boxes.

4. In a box-filling machine, the combination of an endless chain offlexibly-connected temporary match-holders adapted throughout its courseto travel in a horizontal path,

or substantially so, means for progressively supplying matches to theholders on one of the longitudinal stretches of said chain, an endlesschain of flexibly-connected boxholders arranged to travel laterallyadjacent to, and in parallelism with, the other longitudinal stretch ofsaid chain of match-holders, or substantially so, means for concurrentlyactuating said chains whereby the adjacent portions thereof are impelledin the same direction and at the same rate of speed and their respectiveholders thus maintained in register, means for transferring the matchesfrom the said match-holders into boxes carried by the said box-holders,and a guide device movable upon and from the contents of the travelingmatch-holders and adapted to settle the contained matches in positionfor ready insertion into the boxes.

5. In a box-filling machine, the combination of an endless series offlexibly connected temporary match-holders, means for continuouslyimpelling the same, means for progressively supplying said holders withmatches during their travel whereby a predetermined quantity isdelivered to each holder, a guide device movable into and from thesuccessive holders during their traverse and temporarily alongtherewith, and means for discharging the contents of each holder duringthe travel of the same and while the guide device is disposed thereon.

6. In a box-filling machine, the combination with an endless series oflinked tempo rary holders whereof each holder is open at its top andend, of an endless series of linked members for supporting boxesadjacent the open ends of said holders, means for pushing the contentsof said holders endwise into the boxes, and means for progressivelymoving said holders and members in the same direction and at the samespeed whereby the boxes travel in close relation to the temporaryholders.

7. In a box-filling machine, the combina tion of an endless chain oftemporary holders, an endless chain of box-holders adjacent thereto,means for impelling said chains in the same direction and at the samerate of speed, means for progressively supplying the temporary holderswith free matches or splints during their travel, whereby apredetermined quantity is delivered to each temporary holder, and meansindependent of the temporary holders for acting directly upon the endsof the matches or splints in the latter and moving them directly intothe oppos-' ing boxes in the box-holders.

8. In a box-filling machine, the combina tion of an endless chain oftemporary holders, an endless chain of box-holders adjacent thereto,means for impelling said chains in the same direction and at the samerate of 9. In a box-filling machine, the combination with an endlesschain of links whereof the upper links comprise recessed or opentemporary holders for the matches to be boxed, of an endless chain oflinked .boxholders adjacent the path of travel of the said temporaryholders, and means for driving said chains in concert, with. theirrespective holders in register with each other.

10. In a box-filling machinethe combina tion of an endless chain. oftemporary holders for matches, an endless chain of linked holders formatch-boxes adjacent the path of travel of-said temporary holders,sprocketwheels for the respective chains having their axes at rightanglesto each other, or substantially so, and actuating mechanism forthe said wheels whereby the chains are driven in concert, with theirrespective holders in register with each other.

11. In a box-filling machine, the combination with an endless travelingcarrier for'supporting and carrying a box in horizontal po sition, ofmeans for introducing matches endwise to said box,.and means for tiltingthe filled box.

12. In a box-filling machine, the combina tion with an endless travelingcarrier for supporting and carrying a box in horizontal position, ofmeans for introducing matches endwise to said box, means for tilting thefilled box, and means for setting the box upright.

13. In a box-filling machine, the combination with an endless travelingcarrier for supporting and carrying a box in horizontal position, ofmeans for introducing matches endwise to said box, means for tilting thefilled box, and means for setting the box upright and moving it awayfrom the means first named.

1a. In a box-filling machine, the combination with a traveling carrierhaving means to supportboxes in horizontalposition, of means forintroducing matches endwise to said boxes, and a cam arranged in thepath of the projecting ends of the matches in said boxes and adapted.thereby to tilt the boxes during their traverse.

15. In a box-filling machine, the combination with a traveling carrierhaving means to support boxes in horizontal position, of means forintroducing matches endwise to said boxes, a cam arranged in the path ofthe projecting ends of said matches and adapted thereby to tilt theboxes during their traverse,

holders into said boxes with the outer ends of the matches projectinginto the holders, and means for guiding the said carrier in parallelismwith the chain of holders during the insertion of the matches in theboxes and thereafter for a predetermined distance in a plane inclined tothat of said holders.

17. In a box-filling machine, the combination with a traveling chain oftemporary holders for matches, of a traveling box-carrier adjacent thepath of said temporary holders, means for supplying boxes to saidcarrier, means for pushing the matches from the temporary holders intosaid boxes with the outer ends of the matches projecting into thetemporary holders, means for guiding the said carrier in parallelismwith the chain of temporary holders during the insertion of the matchesin the boxes, and thereafter for a predetermined distance in a planeinclined to that of said temporary holders, and a cam arranged in thepath of the rojecting ends of said matches and adapted to tilt the boxesduring their traverse.

18. In box-filling machine, the combination with a traveling chain oftemporary holders for matches, of a traveling box-carrier adjacent thepath of said temporary holders, means for supplying boxes to saidcarrier, means for pushing the matches fromthe temporary holders intosaid boxes with the outer ends of the matches projecting into thetemporary holders, means for guiding the said carrier in parallelismwith the chain during the insertion of the matches in the boxes, andthereafter for a predetermined distance in a plane inclined. to that ofsaid holders, a cam arranged in the path of the projecting ends of saidmatches and adapted to tilt the boxes during their traverse, and meansfor setting the tilted boxes upright and moving them away from thecarrier.

19. In a box-filling machine, the combination with series of temporaryholders, and means for continuously movingthe same, of a guide devicemovable into and from said temporary holders, and means for moving saiddevice in the direction of motion of the holders and back again.

20. In a box-filling machine, the combination with a series of temporaryholders each of which is constructed with a pocket or receptacle tocontain a quantity of loose matches, and means for continuously movingthe said holders, of a pusher, means for reciprocating the same acrossthe path of said holders, and means for moving said pusher in thedirection of motion of the holders and back again.

21. In a box-filling machine, the combination with a series of temporaryholders, and means for continuously moving the same, of a guide device,means for moving it into and from said holders, a puncher, means formoving it across the path of said holders, and means for moving saidguide device and pusher in the direction of motion of the holders andback again.

22. In a box-filling machine, the combination with a series of temporaryholders each of which is constructed with a pocket or receptacle tocontain a quantity of loose matches, and means for continuously movingthe said holders, of a carriage adjacent the path of said. holders,means for moving said carriage in the direction of motion of the holdersand back again, guide and push devices on said carrier, and means on thecarriage for operating said guide and push devices.

23. In a box-filling machine, the combina tion with an endless chain oftemporary holders, and means for continuously moving the same, of anendless carrier provided with box-receptacles corresponding with said.holders, means for continuously moving said carrier at the same speed asthe chain of holders, a pusher, means for moving the same across thepath of said holders, and means for moving said pusher in the directionof motion of the holders and back again.

24. In a box-filling machine, the combination with an endless chain oftemporary holders, and means for continuously moving the same, of anendless carrier provided with boxreceptacles corresponding with saidholders, means for continuously moving said carrier at the same speed asthe chain of holders, a guide device, means for moving it into and fromsaid holders, a pusher, means for moving it across the path of saidholders, and means for moving said guide device and pusher in thedirection of motion of the holders and back again.

25. In a box-filling machine, the combination with an endless series offlexibly-connected temporary holders for matches, means for continuouslyimpelling the same, and means for progressively supplying said holderswith free matches during their travel, whereby a predetermined quantityis delivered to each holder, of a guide device, and means for moving thesame into and from the successive holders during their traverse andtemporarily along therewith, said means including a spring to move the iguide device yieldingly upon the contents of the holders and a cam toretract said device.

26. In a box-filling machine, the combination with an endless series offlexibly-connected temporary holders for matches, means for continuouslyimpelling said holders, and means for progressively supplying saidholders With free matches during their travel whereby a predeterminedquantity is delivered toeach holder, of mechanism for directly engagingthe ends of the matches in the traveling holders and thereby bodilydischarging said matches endWise therefrom, said mechanism movingtemporarily along With the holders.

27. In a box-filling machine, the combination With a series of temporaryholders in which matches are loosely contained, means for progressivelymoving said holders along, and means for progressively supplying saidholders With matches during their travel, whereby a predeterminedquantity is delivered to each holder, of a reciprocating pusher forpushing the matches endwise from said holders during their traverse, andmeans for actuating said pusher, said means including a spring to movethe pusher yieldingly against the matches, and a cam to retract thepusher.

28. In a box-filling machine, the combination with a temporary holderfor matches, a guide device for said matches, and means for moving saiddevice upon and from the matches, said means including a spring to movethe guide device yieldingly upon the said contents, and a cam to retractsaid device, of a pusher for pushing the matches from the holder, andmeans for actuating said pusher including a spring to move the pusheryieldingly against the matches and a cam to retract the pusher.

29. In a box-filling machine, the combination With a series of travelingholders and actuating mechanism therefor, of a trough or Way for saidholders comprising a series of sections jointed together and pivotallysupported at their outer extremities, and means for transversely jarringsaid trough or Way.

80. The combination With the matchcar rier of a match-machine, and meansfor discharging the matches from said carrier, of a series of travelingholders movable across the path of the matches discharged from saidcarrier, and a trough or Way for said holders comprising severalsections jointed together, one section extending throughout the Width ofsaid carrier, or substantially so, and the outer extremities of thetrough being pivotally supported as described, together With means fortransversely arring said trough or Way.

31. In a box-filling machine, the combination with a series of travelingholders, means for supplying matches thereto, and a guardpiece movableinto a position overhanging the path of the said holders during thefeeding of the matches to the holders.

32. The combination With the match-carrier of a match-machine, and meansfor discharging the matches from said carrier, of a series of travelingholders movable across the path of the matches discharged from the saidcarrier, a trough or Way for said holders, means for jarring said troughor Way, and a guard hinged adjacent said trough or Way and movable intoa position overhanging the holders therein.

Signed at Barberton, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, this25th day of June, A. D. 1903.

JACOB P. WRIGHT. CHARLES F. WRIGHT.

l/Vitnesses:

B. 0. Ross, 0. A. TICKNOR.

